Mr Charles Ruddock
Principal Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist
B.A., Grad Dip(Psych), M.Psych(Coun)
Clinics: St Albans, Bundoora, Dandenong
Has spent 12 years working as a psychologist in hospital and private practice settings. This has included assessing and treating patients, managing and supervising multi-disciplinary teams, developing and delivering training and providing consultancy services. Has strong clinical skills in a range of areas with a particular interest in: chronic pain conditions, stress conditions, workplace injuries (physical and stress related), returning to work after a workplace injury (physical or stress related).
Garth Bennett
Psychologist
B.PsySc.(Hons), MPsych (Counselling), MAPS
Clinic: Boronia, Bundoora, St Albans
Garth is a Registered Psychologist. He holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours and a Masters of Counselling Psychology.
Having worked in universities, pain rehabilitation, and crisis support, Garth is experienced in providing psychological treatment and counselling support to a diverse range of clients for chronic pain conditions, depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment to life changes, and returning to work/study. Garth enjoys working collaboratively with clients to reduce distress, increase resilience, work toward valued goals, and improve overall life satisfaction.
Joon Choi
Clinical Psychologist
BSc (Hons), MSc, PgDipClPs
Clinics: St Albans, Boronia, Dandenong
Joon completed his Clinical Psychology training in New Zealand and has wide-ranging experience working in Health, Forensic, and Community settings across a number of different population groups. This has involved clinical roles in assessment and therapy, both as a lead clinician and as part of a wider multi-disciplinary team. Joon has a strong adherence to evidence-based practice in psychological assessment and treatment, based on a firm grounding in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Joon prioritises client engagement with strong interpersonal skills, guided by an underlying commitment to responsive and empathic practice.
David Young
Clinical Psychologist
BAppSc(Psych), MPsych, DPsych, MAPS
Clinic: Bundoora, St Albans
David is a Clinical Psychologist who has been practicing since 2007. He has wide experience working in many different psychological settings including hospitals, community settings, corporate psychological organisations and general as well as clinical private practices. David has experience setting up and managing mental health and health related programs in Melbourne and Sydney and consequently is experienced working with individuals with a wide range of psychological presentations. He uses evidence based approaches to psychological treatment and is trained in CBT, ACT, Schema and DBT related therapies.
David has completed numerous university degrees including a Bachelor of Teaching, a Masters in Psychology (Counselling) and a Doctorate in Psychology (Clinical). David has completed 3 post graduate theses investigating different topics including personality traits and drug/alcohol motivation. David’s doctoral thesis focused on the complex relationships between various psychosocial variables and their association with chronic pain.
Joanna Paterson
Psychologist
BA(Hons), MPsych(Clin)
Clinic: Hoppers Crossing, St Albans
Joanna is a registered psychologist and has experience working in hospital settings as well as in private practice. Joanna has an interest in persistent pain and adjustment issues, and uses a variety of evidence based therapies to help her clients achieve their therapy goals. Therapy modalities may include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Schema Therapy, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Joanna has sound clinical skills in the assessment and treatment of a variety of concerns, including mood and anxiety disorders, adjustment disorder, pain, trauma, grief, and personality disorder.
Joanna has a warm and empathetic style and strives to provide clients with a safe and non-judgemental space in which to explore their thoughts and concerns.
Seán O’Donoghue
Clinical Psychologist
BA, PhD, DPsychSc
Clinic: Bundoora
Seán is a registered clinical psychologist and has a special interest in psychological aspects of health. He completed a PhD in the neuropsychology of multiple sclerosis and then completed a doctorate in clinical psychology, both at University College Dublin. Seán also works as a clinical psychologist at the Barbara Walker Centre for Pain Management, at St Vincent’s Hospital, and also as lecturer and researcher at the Australian Catholic University. Seán adopts a person-centred approach with his clients, and predominantly uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Hema Navaratnam
BPsych, MPsych (Couns), MAPS
Clinic: Hoppers Crossing
Hema is a Registered Psychologist and has worked in various health care settings including hospital, research and private practice. Having worked in a variety of areas including cardiac, respiratory, oncology and neurology, she has now developed an interest in chronic pain. Hema has clinical skills in assessing, managing and treating a wide range of mental health problems combined with a strong patient centered approach.
Melinda Rak
Clinical Psychologist
BBNSc, GDipPsych, MPsych(Clin), MAPS
Clinic: Boronia, St Albans
Melinda has always been intrigued by the mind-body connection. This curiosity led her to complete a Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience and a Master of Clinical Psychology. Melinda is a registered Clinical psychologist and has experience in hospital, EAP, corporate and private practice settings.
Melinda’s clinical approach is one of collaboration and compassion; she enjoys working with clients to achieve their goals so they can go on to lead rich and fulfilling lives. She draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and humour in her practice. Melinda has a keen interest in pain management, sleep and anxiety concerns.
Melinda is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, the APS College of Clinical Psychologists, and the Australian Clinical Psychology Association. When she’s not working, Melinda is out playing netball or exploring Melbourne’s restaurant scene
Susanna Blagin
Psychologist
B.S, Grad Dip (Psych)
Clinic: Dandenong
Susanna is a registered psychologist with experience in public and private settings. She has many years of experience in assessment, diagnosis and the provision of evidence-based psychological treatments including cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behaviour therapy. She has worked with a variety of mental health difficulties and across the lifespan (children, adolescents, adults and older adults). She takes a humanistic approach and places a great deal of value in the therapeutic relationship.
She is currently completing her Masters of Clinical Psychology.